"Overpriced Modest Homes"

Ray Park in Burlingame, California is home to Mills Peninsula Health Center on its northern end, Burlingame intermediate school on its western end, and Lincoln Elementary on its southern in (by Ray Park proper).

This is a neighborhood that popped up in the post WWII period. The homes here all date back to the late 40’s or very early 50’s and they are quite modern by our modern days standards with none of them that I could find exceeding 2000 sq. ft. Despite these modest offerings, however, these homes regularly sell for about $1 million.

Why the high prices?

As always, the key is location. Ray Park and Burlingame in general is a great spot for SF commuters looking to get just far enough away to escape the problems of the city. The neighborhood has virtually no crime (only a pair of assaults near the hospital in the past 6 months). You are only about a mile from two separate CalTrains stations, as well.

The schools are also excellent with both Lincoln and Franklin elementaries having the highest API’s possible while Burlingame Middle School and Mills High are also close to perfect. (And that is not to mention the outstanding choices in private schools as well.)

As far as entertainment and similar matters, you are also pretty close to some restaurants and not far from the downtown areas of both Burlingame and Millbrae. If you are in the mood for a sandwich you might try the Little Lucca Sandwich Shop or the American Bull Bar and Grill which is right by Little Lucca.

As to the medical center that lies on its northern end?

I don’t exactly how I should judge such a facility except to say that it looks like they are a full service hospital that includes most every service from surgery to and ER, but that what perhaps sets it apart is perhaps its inclusion of psychiatric services as part of its offerings.

"Middle-class monotony"

Although nestled next to downtown Millbrae, Ray Park is a Burlingame community overrun with reasonable suburban amenities and middle-class monotony. It spans about 0.3 square miles with a total population barely exceeding 2,000 residents. Demographically speaking, the neighborhood is predominately white with a small minority of asian and hispanic residents. It is, however, good for young families as it offers both the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and the Burlingame Intermediate School within its boundaries.

Ray Park’s residential quarters are nothing special. Homes are a mix between one and two-story homes, many of which seem to look refurbished as of late. They are usually fitted with two-car garages and lay ground to decently sized properties and quaint, neighborhood blocks. For the most part, nicer homes are situated on Hayward and Valdivia Way, a loop that skirts the district’s southwestern hillside. The area offers views of the rolling hills and suburban-side to the east. For numbers sake, the median estimated value of homes are around $1.2 million, just above the city’s average, while median household incomes are estimated at around $92,000/year.

For your shopping needs, a small commercial plaza is situated just across Trousdale Drive. The area offers quick shopping options which include a couple restaurants, small chain stores and a food mart. For commuters, Millbrae Caltrain and Bart station lie a couple blocks north of Ray Park’s limits. The station is convenient for parking and transports locals up and down the San Francisco peninsula. Moreover, the Ray Park Tennis Courts are a perfect place for young families. The park is situated along Balboa Way and Devereux Drive and is outfitted with a small, youth baseball and soccer field.